TAHLEQUAH, Okla. ---Northeastern State University has accepted an invitation to join the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Dr. Don Betz, President, and Jeffrey Konya, director of athletics, made the official announcement Thursday afternoon.
Central Oklahoma also formalized its move to the MIAA. Northeastern State and UCO will notify the Lone Star Conference of their withdrawals prior to the Aug. 1 deadline as required in the LSC Constitution.
“We are pleased to receive and accept an invitation to join the MIAA and its institutional members,” Betz said. “The MIAA enjoys an exceptional reputation nationally for the quality of both its athletics and academic programs. We have much in common with its member universities including institutional missions, regional proximity, and our common link through our regional accrediting association, the Higher Learning Commission.
“We are also delighted that we will be entering the MIAA together with our friends at the University of Central Oklahoma. They are one of our greatest rivals in athletics, but one of our appreciated partners as we collaborate in academics, operations and regional service. We couldn’t be more pleased that we will continue our close association and rivalry in athletics .
“We appreciate our fellow member institutions of the Lone Star Conference and we value our 15-year relationship. However, this is a great fit for NSU. We eagerly await the start of athletic competition and the opportunity to explore new relationships with the association’s schools,” Betz said.
Earlier this summer, MIAA presidents approved legislation to explore expansion for the conference, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., from 12 institutions to 16. The geographic footprint of the MIAA has been expanded by the addition of Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma, which have a major presence in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas.
Also, one of the longest running traditions among Oklahomaregional universities will remain intact --- The President’s Cup. Since 1998 the team that wins the football game between these two institutions has been awarded the President’s Cup trophy. Beginning this year, the award will be enhanced to encompass all sports played between the two schools.
“The landscape in all divisions of collegiate athletics has seen a dramatic change over the past few months,” said Konya. “Our decision to join the MIAA, considered by many to be the premier NCAA Division II conference, was made after extensive dialogue and candid discussions between some of their membership and those within our institution. We felt the universities that comprise the MIAA share a similar vision and philosophy with Northeastern State in academics and athletics.
“This is an historic day for Northeastern State and the RiverHawks.”
In 1995, Northeastern State joined the Lone Star Conference while it sought membership in NCAA Division II. In 1998, Northeastern State became an active member of the NCAA and the pinnacle of its athletic achievements came when it won the 2003 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball championship.
Northeastern State will continue to participate in the Lone Star Conference until membership in the MIAA becomes official. Current MIAA members include Central Missouri, Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Lincoln, Missouri Southern State, Missouri Western State, Nebraska-Omaha, Northwest Missouri State, Pittsburg State, Southwest Baptist, Truman State and Washburn.
EDMOND, Okla. (July 29) – The University of Central Oklahoma has accepted an invitation to join the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), it was announced Thursday.
UCO and fellow Lone Star Conference member Northeastern State were both extended invitations by the MIAA, with the league also considering an application submitted by Lindenwood (Mo.). A timeline for when UCO becomes an official MIAA member will be decided in the coming weeks, though it’s expected to be for the 2012-13 academic year.
“The University of Central Oklahoma has had a very good relationship with the member schools in the Lone Star Conference,” said UCO President W. Roger Webb. “However, we believe that going forward, the MIAA provides the best opportunity for Central and our athletic teams.”
The MIAA currently has 12 member institutions – Central Missouri, Emporia State (Kan.), Fort Hays State (Kan.), Lincoln (Mo.), Missouri Southern, Missouri Western, Nebraska-Omaha, Northwest Missouri State, Pittsburg State (Kan.), Southwest Baptist (Mo.), Truman State (Mo.) and Washburn (Kan.).
“UCO’s goal is to be an elite Division II program, both competitively and academically,” said Athletic Director Joe Muller. “Our core values and goals are closely aligned with the MIAA, which makes this a great fit. We are certainly excited about the opportunity.”
UCO, which offers 14 sports, has been a member of the LSC since 1987.
As we had announced earlier, Delashaun Dean is transferring to Texas A and M Kingsville from the University of Arizona. Dean started 22 games for the Wildcats, and is 8th on the school's all-time list with 132 receptions. He caught at least 37 passes each season for UA, with his best season in 2008 with 53 catches for 593 yards and 4 TDs.
Coming out of Fairfield High School in California, Dean was rated the #19 receiver nationally by Scout.com (and a 4 star recruit), while Rivals had him as the #40 receiver in the nation (and a 3 star recruit). According to Rivals, he received offers from six Pac 10 schools as well as Nebraska and Colorado.
We caught up with Delashaun a little while back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thanks for taking time with us Delashaun. Can you tell us a little bit about the circumstances that led you to the Javelinas? What kind of process did you go through when looking for a school to transfer to? Delashaun Dean - Well it was a sticky situation where I felt I was doing something right for my safety and the safety of my family but other people saw it differently. Some of my coaches at Arizona were real cool with the coaches here and felt comfortable with me transferring here. I really had to sit down and think about the decision I was making because I don't have time to waste - I have one season to make my dreams come true, so it had to be the right fit.
What schools were you in contact with about transferring? DD - Abilene Christian and Central Washington.
What was it about TAMK that sold you on the program?
DD - My coaches at Arizona had a strong personal relationship with the coaches here and they felt very comfortable with them and trusted them. Basically it was a trust factor.
The Javelinas return the bulk of their receiving corps. What do you envision your role to be with the team?
DD - I envision my role being that extra threat on the field. The one that teams have to always account for when they line up. Were going to have a solid group at the wide out position and I think I bring another explosive threat.
Coming from a major college program, do you think you bring something extra to the team, leadership-wise?
DD - I think I bring a lot of big game experience. Playing in the Pac-10 and two big time bowl games, I know what it takes to get to where these guys are trying to go. I'm a veteran now at this level and I have a lot of different things I can bring to the team to help them learn and be successful.
After spending 3 seasons facing off against schools like USC, Oregon, UCLA, etc., what do you expect the level of competition to be in the LSC? DD - I definitely don't expect it to be what I'm use to or what i played against the last three seasons but I definitely think I will be challenged from week to week by every team because it's kind of like being placed on a high pedestal and everyone is trying to get to the level you are so they want to knock you off. So I have to stay on top of my game and get better every day and work harder than everyone else and I'll be fine.
What are you looking forward to the most this upcoming season?
DD - Playing with and against new faces. A lot of people are doubting me after what I went through, so I'm just looking forward to going out there every day and dominating the way I would have my last year at Arizona.
What goals have you set for 2010?
DD - To become the best player i possibly can to help these guys win and win a championship. If i do that everyone's goals will be reached not just my own.
Thank you for your time Delashaun. Best of luck to you, and welcome to the LSC
Nearly forty Lone Star Conference student-athletes and athletic administrators met in Commerce, Texas, July 25-27, for the league’s fifth annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Summer Retreat.
The three-day event, which took place on the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus, is intended to help improve communication amongst LSC SAAC groups and to help energize student-athletes with ideas and “best practices” to be implemented during the academic year.
“The retreat was a success due to the outstanding student-athletes that participated,” said Jay Poerner, LSC assistant commissioner who oversees the conference SAAC efforts. “They voiced their thoughts on a variety of important issues, and were able to connect in an enjoyable environment. I’m looking forward to next year’s event.”
The participants arrived on Sunday and met before having dinner, which was hosted by Dr. Dan Jones, President of A&M-C, at his house.
The retreat continued on Monday with a Strength Quest Seminar and a team-building activity at the ropes course. Then, the group had a Hawaiian themed cookout at the campus recreation center.
The event concluded Tuesday morning with meetings. Topics discussed during the retreat included Make-A-Wish fundraising, community service month, NCAA SAAC, the Division II SAAC website, LSC SAAC Cup, the conference championship experience, summer school financial aid, needy student athletic fund and the degree completion scholarship program.
The LSC SAAC Cup was awarded to Texas A&M-Kingsville for their efforts during 2009-10. The purpose of the cup is to encourage participation in conference SAAC initiatives. Kingsville totaled 12,543 points to earn the second-ever cup along with customized t-shirts. Abilene Christian (7,880) and Tarleton State (7,587) rounded out the top three schools. The award is based on involvement in six categories: LSC SAAC meetings, Campus SAAC meetings, Make-A-Wish, Community Service Month, other community service and the NCAA Legislative grid.
Thirteen of the LSC’s 16 member institutions were represented at the meeting, with ACU’s Emery Dudensing, a football player, serving as chair. Trey Mays, an Angelo State basketball player, serves as the group’s vice-chair, while ACU football player David Pillen and Kingsville track & field athlete Robert Guzman represent the LSC on the NCAA Division II National SAAC.
Other student-athlete's who attended the Summer Retreat were ACU’s Molly Dudensing, ASU’s Megan Schaffer, Cameron’s Carrie Harvey, East Central’s Whitney McDaniel, Midwestern State’s Kiara Jordan, Northeastern State’s Kyle Fouts and Shelbi Bowin, Southeastern Oklahoma’s Will Robinson and Taylor Clinebell, Southwestern Oklahoma’s Todd Nix and Krishna Henderson, Tarleton’s Shelby Adamson, Texas A&M-Commerce’s Cairo Thornton and Morgan Moeller, Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Kassie Anderson, Texas Woman’s Megan Warren and Kyli Morgan and West Texas A&M’s Jadiah Riley and Hector Rodriguez.
Also attending as advisors were ACU’s Ann Varner, ASU’s Jaci Brindus, CU’s Keith Vitense, MSU’s Kurt Portman, NSU’s Rylee Williamson, SE’s Cherrie Wilmoth, SWOSU’s Bo Paglaisotti, Tarleton’s Mary Schindler, A&M-C’s Judy Sackfield, TAMUK’s Breanne Flores-Contreras and Miguel Paderes, TWU’s Lisa Bowerman and WTAMU’s Courtney Lee.
After months of discussion and debate surrounding the future of the Big 12, Pac-10 and numerous other NCAA Bowl Division conferences, the Lone Star Conference will have a shake-up of its own. Three Oklahoma-based schools- Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and East Central University- are leaving the LSC to join with six Arkansas schools and create a new Division II conference. While the name and headquarters of this new conference are unknown, the schools plan to petition the NCAA to create the conference.
LSC Commissioner Stan Wagnon was confident that the Lone Star Conference will remain strong.
“I feel strongly that a solid core of members will emerge from these changes, and my focus at this point is to assist those members in making significant strides toward becoming the nation’s premier NCAA Division II conference,” Wagnon said.
FORMER LION NAMED HEAD COACH OF VIGILANTES…Former LIONS quarterback Clint Dolezel has been named the head football coach of the Dallas Vigilantes of the revamped Arena Football League for the ’11 season. Dolezel will replace interim head coach James Fuller at the end of the season. A quarterback for three seasons for the Dallas Desperados of the old Arena Football League, Dolezel was the first quarterback in AFL history to throw 900 career touchdown passes and lead his team to a 15-win season, doing so in ’07 with the Desperados. In 13 AFL seasons, Dolezel completed over 3,700 passes for over 44,500 yards, 931 touchdowns and with a quarterback rating of 117.75. Dolezel retired from the AFL after the ’08 season when the AFL suspended play and took a coaching position with the San Angelo Stampede Express of the Indoor Football League. Dolezel won letters for the LIONS in football (’92 and ’93), track and field, and golf, was a second-team All-Lone Star Conference choice both years as a football player, was the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Back in and a team captain in ’93.
COMMERCE, Texas – Legendary football coach and current Texas A&M University System Board of Regents member, Gene Stallings, will serve as the keynote speaker at the Harvey Martin Classic Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 9, at noon at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
“We are excited and honored to have Gene Stallings as our keynote speaker for the Harvey Martin Classic Luncheon,” said Dr. Dan Jones, A&M-Commerce president. “Coach Stallings is a legendary figure in college football and is one of the most engaging speakers around.”
The West Texas A&M Buffs start football practice Aug. 12. Head coach Don Carthel and QB Taylor Harris will, more than likely, move into second place all-time in their respective categories this season. Carthel needs three wins to tie the legendary Frank Kimbrough for No. 2 in WT coaching victories. Harris needs 2,938 passing yards to supplant Derek Maupin for second place in WT passing yards and 3,581 yards to overtake Maupin for total offense.
SAN ANTONIO — Mike Santiago is taking it personally. Incarnate Word officially joined the Lone Star Conference on July 1, and two weeks later three schools — Southeastern Oklahoma, East Central Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma — announced they would be leaving the conference after the 2011-12 school year. Three more schools are mulling a possible exodus, too.
“I was getting a complex,” said Santiago, Incarnate Word’s football coach. “We come in and everybody takes off.”
Not that anyone in the LSC would be intimidated by a Cardinals football program that just got started last season.
“I didn’t say we scared anybody,” Santiago said. “I think it was our deodorant.”
As the Cleveland Browns open training camp, there is one undrafted player currently flying under the radar.
We know that everyone loves an underdog.
Undrafted out of small Division II Southwest Oklahoma State, Browns wide receiver Johnathan Haggerty received praise and caught the attention of coaches with a solid performance last month during OTAs.
A look at last year's numbers might not indicated it. The Lone Star Conference preseason poll might not back up any such notion, either.
But ask Northeastern State linebacker, Johnny Evans, how to describe the RiverHawks' 2010 team, and the words that come out of his mouth are, "sleeping giant."
"We've been good as long I've been here," said Evans, who will be a fifth-year senior when NSU begins its season on Sept. 2 at Tarleton State. "The thing that's lacking is belief and a little bit of confidence."
Two brothers — Michael Loyd Jr. and Kevin Loyd — have decided to transfer from NCAA Division I schools to play basketball at Division II Midwestern State, according to a report in a Salt Lake City newspaper.
Deseret News writer Jim Rayburn reported that Michael is leaving Brigham Young to play for MSU and will join younger brother Kevin, who played at Grambling State last season.
Trey Reed, the sports information director at MSU, said Thursday that the school was not yet ready to release its basketball signings.
PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University senior wide receiver Jesse Poku has been nominated for the 2010 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works team, based on performance on the field and community contributions off it.
Poku, from Murphy, Texas, was among the leaders in receptions and yards receiving in NCAA Division II last season and earned first-team All-Lone Star Conference South Division honors. In three seasons at ENMU, he has 127 catches for 1,526 yards and 15 tourndowns.
Off the field, he has worked a yearly football camp in Portales, participated in school reading programs such as Head Start, and helped with the cleanup after a tornnado in Clovis in the spring of 2007.
SAN ANGELO, Texas – It’s safe to assume that Angelo State head volleyball coach Chuck Waddington pinched himself in disbelief or did at least one double take when he came across Qi Wang’s (pronounced CHEE Wong) application for the vacant assistant position on the Rambelle coaching staff.
Waddington spent a good portion of his summer sifting through resumes in search of a qualified assistant, and found that and more in Wang, a former AVCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year and leader of two teams that reached the NCAA Division II championship match. Wang has been added to Waddington’s staff and will help mentor a team that was selected third in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Volleyball Poll released by the league office Tuesday.
“I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about adding Qi to our coaching staff,” Waddington said. “His knowledge and level of experience are off the charts. His technical expertise and success at the national level will no doubt have a huge impact on our program. To say that I am looking forward to working with him would be a huge understatement.”
WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State's Bill Powers earned a second prestigious Jake Trussell Award Wednesday as the Lone Star Conference's top broadcaster during the 2009-10 athletic season.
The Trussell Award for Sportscaster of the year is in memory of Jake Trussell, who broadcasted games for then Texas A&I for more than 20 years prior to his death in 1971. He was also a renowned sportswriter at the Kingsville-Bishop Record News having won the third Kirk Hill Award presented by the LSC in 1966.
Powers was previously tabbed the league's top broadcaster in 1989 during his tenure at the former East Texas State University (Texas A&M-Commerce) before serving as the school's sports information director for 15 years over two terms.
He moved to Midwestern State as sports information director in 2005 before earning a promotion to Assistant Athletic Director in 2007.
Powers has served as the "Voice of the Mustangs" for the last three seasons while relaying the excitement of MSU's Lone Star Conference championships in football and men's basketball last season on KWFB BOB-FM.
"It's honor to win this award," Powers said. "There are numerous outstanding broadcasters among the former recipients. I consider many of them close friends."
Midwestern State alum Nick Eatman was named the 2010 Kirk Hill Award as the league's top sportswriter.
KINGSVILLE - Javelinas Strong Safety DeIra Glover has matured over the last three years in Kingsville, becoming a team leader not to mention a community leader. Off of the field Glover spends his free time speaking at area schools as well as volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club.
"It's just a wonderful feeling because these kids are our future and it's important we give them the knowledge and the education to be specific in life," said Glover.
On this day Glover spoke to the kids about education, being drug free, and staying physically fit. The kids meanwhile listened to him and then issued a challenge. First they had a push-up contest, then a race, finished off with a 20-minute autograph session.
"I always like putting a smile on their faces it makes my day and I know it makes their day to see a Javelina," said Glover.
In 2009 he was named 2nd Team All-Lone Star Conference Defense, leading the Javelinas in tackles and defensive touchdowns.
All-American strong safety Giorgio Durham is leaving the UCO program this season. Durham was a two-year starter on an underachieving Broncho football team. He was also the leader of a group that was just starting to come together.
Rumors began flying as soon as the season ended that Durham wasn’t happy with the program. “It’s not that I didn’t like it here in Edmond,” Durham said. “These coaches gave me an opportunity out of high school, but there was just some issues that we couldn’t get worked out.”
One issue he spoke of was the fact that while being an All-American defensive player, he still wasn’t a full scholarship player. The problem wasn’t with the coaches, just the aspect of playing Division II football where there are considerably less scholarships to give out than schools like the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University. Division I schools like OU can offer 85 scholarships, whereas Division II schools like UCO can only offer up to 36 scholarships. Both divisions still have to fill out rosters in upwards of 80-90 players.
When Durham decided to leave UCO after the season ended, he turned his attention on getting hooked up with a Division I school. While working out with his cousin from OU, Dominique Franks, Durham was getting his body and mind ready for the jump in divisions. When his close friend who plays at Texas Tech told him to come for a visit, Durham jumped at the chance.
A big thanks to Lance Fleming, Assistant AD for Media Relations at Abilene Christian, for the great coverage from the LSC Media Day. In addition to the official ACU athletics website, Lance is responsible for the ACU Sports Blog. For ACU fans (and LSC fans in general), the blog is great, with in-game updates and posts that are informative, but might not fit on the athletic website. It is a must read, so we have it listed on our links page.
Here are some of the quotes from yesterday....
Mike Santiago, UIW head coach: "We're very proud to be part of this great conference. Last year we were very young. This year we are seasoned sophomores. Noticed a lot of guys were welcoming us and anxious to see us and I'm sure they are. But this is a good football team we're putting together. They grew up dramatically last year. To win five football games last year was dramatic. But this year the challenge is dramatically different. But it's one our players are looking forward to taking on."
Dale Carr, Angelo State head coach: "This is the team that we've been building toward for five seasons. Don't know that we have a chink in our armor. We're telling our guys that this year could be like last year in that I don't know that anyone will go through the LSC South undefeated. If we can make the playoffs I think we can make a deep run in the playoffs. There's a lot of excitement surrounding Angelo State football right now."
Bo Atterberry, Kingsville head coach: "Good thing it's a pre-season poll because fifth place won't work in Kingsville, Texas."
Cary Fowler, Tarleton State head coach: "I'm very excited to be here today as the head coach at Tarleton State. We're very excited at Tarleton and we have high expectations. Our tradition is that we're a hard-hitting, physical football team and we're going to try and live up to that."
Bill Maskill, Midwestern State head coach: "There's seven teams in the LSC South that could win the league. This is the strongest this league has been in my time here. Anytime you have a returning quarterback like we have in Zack (Eskridge) you have a chance to win a lot of games. We've had to re-tool our defense and we'll be young on that side of the ball. But I think we'll get better as the season goes along."
Chris Thomsen, ACU head coach: "We believe we've got a really good team coming back, but when you look around this room you see a lot of great teams. Almost our entire front seven is returning and we feel good about those guys. We've got to re-tool our secondary and we'll feel really good about our defense. Offensively we've got almost everyone back and we're really excited about the development and progress those guys have shown."
Don Carthel, West Texas A&M head coach: "I found out a lot about the Buffaloes last year, and I know going into this season that this is the highest-character group I've ever coached. The depth and experience we have is by far more than we've ever had before. I'm really excited about coaching these guys. I think this will be the year a team from the Lone Star Conference makes a strong move toward winning a regional and national championship."
Dan Cocannouer, SWOSU head coach: "Thought at times last year we looked like a junior high team, but we got better as the year went on. We learned a lot last year. This season we've got great expectations, just like everybody else does. I'm one of those guys who believe we're going to win every game we play."
Kenny Evans, NE State head coach: "I think we're finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We've got the same coaching staff intact for more than a year. We've brought in some good football players and we're excited about the direction in which we're headed. We have a solid nucleus and getting some consistency from the coaching. I just hope the light I'm seeing at the end of the tunnel isn't an oncoming train."
Mark Ribaudo, ENMU head coach: "We're very excited about what's going on with the Greyhounds. For the first time in a long time we've got an older football team. We've got a good corps of receivers led by Jesse Poku and Dorian Dale. Our quarterback (Wes Wood) is a winner and he had a great spring and we're looking for great things out of Wes. We're really excited about being in the North Division. We've had some great, great games against teams in this division. Still have the opportunity to play against some of the great teams from the South and we're excited about that. We're excited to be in the LSC and we're going to do our best to bring that LSC North Division title to Portales, N.M."
Tracy Holland, Central Oklahoma head coach: "We expect our defense to be an anchor point for us. We never step on the field unless we believe we can play for championships. But we know we've got to rise up to the challenge every week."
Ray Richards, SE Oklahoma State head coach: "Our best football player is Baylen Laury and we need him to make big plays for us. I feel pretty good about our team defensively. We've got some experience coming back there. We look forward to a great year at Southeastern."
Guy Morriss, Texas A&M-Commerce head coach: "Certainly appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm not sure we're that good, honestly. Time will tell. We're going to play a lot of young players and we'll have to have a lot of guys step up and be difference-makers for us."
University of the Incarnate Word football coach Mike Santiago could have been excused for looking a little nervous Tuesday at the Lone Star Conference’s Media Day on the UIW campus.
It’s daunting enough that the Cardinals are jumping into one of the toughest conference in NCAA Division II, Santiago quipped, without him having to see every coach in the conference and some of its top players up close and personal.
“It was a little intimidating, really,” Santiago said. “It was like having the Top 25 here at the same time. I’d rather they come through here one at a time.”
West Texas A&M is the preseason favorite in Lone Star Conference football and volleyball.
West Texas A&M edged out Abilene Christian as the choice to win the LSC South Division football title, according to the LSC preseason poll announced Tuesday.
In volleyball, the Lady Buffs, who captured their fourth straight LSC title last season and were national runners-up, earned 27 first-place votes and 584 points. Abilene Christian was next with 567.
RICHARDSON, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University’s football team received two first-place votes and was pegged for fourth place in the seven-team Lone Star Conference North Division this fall in a preseason poll released on Tuesday by the LSC.
The ENMU volleyball squad, meantime, was chosen for last place in the 15-team LSC circuit.
ENMU is moving into the North Division this season in football. Coach Mark Ribaudo said the Greyhounds are looking forward to the competition.
“I think we’re going to be in every game up there and I think we’ve got a chance to win every game,” Ribaudo said. “(The poll is) a nice sign for us, considering some of the team’s haven’t seen us.”
SAN ANTONIO -- Record-setting Midwestern State quarterback Zack Eskridge was the pick as the Lone Star Conference South Offensive Player of the Year while the Mustangs were picked to finish third in the traditionally strong South Division.
The awards and preseason polls were announced Tuesday at the fourth annual Lone Star Conference Media Day on the University of the Incarnate Word campus.
The Defensive Player of the Year is also someone the Mustangs and Wichita Falls-area fans are very familiar with — Abilene Christian junior defensive end Aston Whiteside. The former Vernon star was among Division II leaders last year in sacks and helped the Wildcats eliminate MSU from the D-II playoffs.
CORPUS CHRISTI — Winning a conference co-championship, making the NCAA playoffs and returning 15 starters apparently doesn’t bring the same respect it used to.
That was the case for the Texas A&M-Kingsville football team on Tuesday, when the Lone Star Conference’s preseason poll was announced and the defending league champions were tabbed to finish fifth in the seven-team South Division.
“You know finishing fifth isn’t going to work in Kingsville, Texas,” Javelinas coach Bo Atterberry said. “There’s a lot of parity in the league (during the) preseason. I’m just excited to get started and find out the truth on the field.”
Northeastern State is fifth among North Division teams in a Lone Star Conference preseason football poll announced Tuesday.
The RiverHawks trail Texas A&M-Commerce, favored to repeat as LSC North champs. The Lions received first-place votes on 12 of the 19 ballots cast by LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives. TAMC, which was 5-0 in the North last season, totaled 123 points to edge Southeastern Oklahoma, which had 110 points and three first-place votes.
Central Oklahoma (95) was third with two first-place nods. Eastern New Mexico, which moves to the North Division in football for 2010 and 2011 due to the addition of Incarnate Word, got 76 polnts and was fourth, receiving two first-place tallies, Northeastern State (63 points) was fifth, Southwestern Oklahoma (40) sixth and East Central (25) rounded out the poll.
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Angelo State football team has been tabbed to finish sixth in the Lone Star Conference’s South Division, according to the annual preseason conference poll released Tuesday.
LSC head coaches, sports information directors and various members of the media participated in the poll, ranking the teams in the South as well as the North divisions.
Voters selected West Texas A&M as the favorite to claim the South title with nine of the 19 possible first-place votes. The 105 point total was enough to land the Buffaloes at the top of the highly competitive division, where just 21 points separated the top five finishers.
Abilene Christian was a close second with 103 points, Midwestern State came in third with 91, while Tarleton State (87) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (84) rounded out the five. The Rams were one of just two teams that did not receive first-place votes, as they tallied 42 points to finish ahead of Incarnate Word with 20.
SAN ANTONIO Preseason awards are nice, thought Aston Whiteside doesn’t put too much stock in them.
Still, the junior defensive end from Abilene Christian University was humbled by being named the Lone Star Conference South Division’s preseason defensive player of the year for the second consecutive year.
“It’s an amazing award, but I don’t really think too much of it,” Whiteside said. “Like my coach says, you can’t really take the cheese just from that preseason award. It’s just a good thing to have, I guess.”
Texas A&M-Commerce is the favorite in the North Division and West Texas A&M is the top choice in the South Division, according to the 2010 Lone Star Conference preseason polls announced Tuesday.
The league's preseason polls reflect the opinions of LSC head coaches and sports information directors, plus various media representatives from throughout the region.
NORTHBROOK, Ill. - To honor the distinguished group of college football players who stand out for the positive influence they have in their communities, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 112 student-athletes nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. It is the most ever in the 19-year history of the award.
Texas A&M-Kingsville senior safety DeIra Glover (Hempstead/Hempstead HS) was one of only three representatives from the Lone Star Conference on the list. He is a three-year starter on the Javelinas and is actively involved in the community through volunteer efforts.
SAN ANTONIO — No surprise here. Shawna Hines, the Lone Star Conference’s defensive player of the year last season, is expected to be the conference’s top defensive volleyball player once again this season.
The Abilene Christian University senior was named the LSC preseason defensive player of the year during the LSC’s media day Tuesday at Incarnate Word University. She wasn’t the only Wildcats volleyball athlete to earn a preseason award, either. Ijeoma Moronu was selected as the LSC’s preseason setter of the year.
Zuela Adom of Central Oklahoma was named the preseason offensive player of the year.
The Wildcats were picked second in the LSC preseason poll, behind four-time conference champion West Texas A&M.
SAN ANTONIO — It looks like the Lone Star Conference will soon be Okie free.
No East Central. No Southwestern. No Southeastern. That’s for sure.
Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State are also doing everything possible to leave.
So what does the future hold for the teams they are leaving behind? That was an interesting topic of discussion here Tuesday when all the football coaches gathered for LSC media day.
One by one, Lone Star Conference football coaches took turns at the lectern Tuesday welcoming Incarnate Word into their history-rich conference.
They praised UIW's campus, the host site of this year's annual media-day festivities, and the job coach Mike Santiago did in piloting a first-year program to five victories as an NCAA Division II independent last season.
But with the recent news that as many as five schools could be departing the LSC just as UIW enters the conference, Santiago couldn't help but feel a bit paranoid.
“At first, I was getting a complex,” he joked. “We were coming in, and everybody's leaving.”
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Zack Patteson considers himself to be your not-so-typical wide receiver. But the East Central University junior-to-be feels like he is a perfect fit in head coach Tim McCarty's pro-style offensive scheme. "I love this offense because I'm different. I don't fit into that receiver stereotype," said Patteson, who was in attendance during Lone Star Conference Football Media Day activities at Incarnate Word University on Tuesday. Patteson, who topped all Tiger receivers in catches (36), receiving yards (436) and touchdowns (6) in 2009, is comfortable as ECU's 'H' receiver after earning First Team All-LSC North honors last year. "I'm not really fast, but I'm physical and love the contact. It's a perfect position for me at 'H' end. I played the slot in high school and we ran the spread," Patteson said. "But with the 'H' you get to be a tight end, fullback or receiver. It's one of the most fun positions, in my opinion, on the field." If there are shortcomings in Patteson's game, he believes speed is the No. 1 obstacle. "It's speed and change of direction. I feel like all of my skills need some improvement like better hands and better coordination, but my biggest area of improvement needed is speed," said Patteson.
NWOSU considering move to NAIA (We didn't write the headline, but it should probably be NCAA, not NAIA)
Chris Dell
Enid News & Eagle
After about 70 years of competing in the NAIA, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is exploring an opportunity to move up to NCAA Division II.
The university announced Tuesday it is working with a Colorado-based consulting firm to complete a review of the school’s athletic program, which consists of 11 sports, to determine if a step up would be feasible.
Then, if NWOSU decides to immediately go ahead, it will put together an application and submit it to the NCAA Division II Membership Committee by June 1, 2011.
If the application is accepted, the Rangers could become an NCAA probationary member as early as September 2011, possibly joining a newly formed Division II conference with several in-state schools.
“I’m very proud to have served and been a part of the NAIA, but now it’s time to turn the page,” said NWOSU Athletic Director Bob Battisti, who was the men’s basketball head coach for 21 years before moving to his current position in 2007.
SAN ANTONIO — Midwestern State has a great soccer tradition. Add the fact that they have some excellent players returning to the pitch this fall and the Mustangs were an easy choice as the preseason favorite in the Lone Star Conference men’s soccer standings.
And from the schools that we didn't have reports for yesterday afternoon with quotes (if available)... Buffs Top LSC Preseason South Division Football Poll Lone Star Conference Announces Preseason Football Poll
"We wanted to be a complete team," Carr said. "A team that goes out and plays good football, doesn't beat themselves and is solid everywhere. It's hard to get to that level of play overnight, and I don't think there are any shortcuts. We didn't think that it would take until 2010 - we realistically thought we'd be there in 2008 - but the first two or three years for us were two steps forward and one step back.
"I don't think any coach puts much stock in the preseason polls. I've been the coach of teams that have been picked No. 1 in the conference and been the coach of teams that have been picked last in the conference and it doesn't always end up that way." UIW PICKED SEVENTH IN FOOTBALL
“This is a dramatic challenge for a second-year team,” UIW Coach Mike Santiago said to the gathering at the media event held on the Incarnate Word campus. “Last year we played three Lone Star Conference teams and they were very gracious to us.”
“This is a good football team,” Santiago said about his Cardinals. “They represent San Antonio and South Texas, and they are growing up.” A&M-Commerce Picked to Win LSC North Division Laury Earns Preseason Honor, SE Picked Second
ENMU
NSU
SWO
ECU
Incarnate Word Arrival Highlights LSC Football Media Day
from the LSC Office
In a summer that has seen plenty of changes throughout collegiate conferences, with more on the horizon, the Lone Star Conference experienced its first set of changes on Tuesday.
The simple fact that LSC Football Media Days were held in San Antonio is a change in itself, and one that seemed to be warmly accepted around the conference.
The addition of the University of the Incarnate Word to the LSC highlighted Tuesday’s event, which was held on the UIW campus and also featured all 14 head coaches as they addressed the media and colleagues.
LSC Commissioner Stan Wagnon said the addition of Incarnate Word, and the presence of San Antonio will immediately bring a positive impact to the conference.
“San Antonio is obviously a big part of the state of Texas and in higher education, that holds true because there are more high school students coming out of San Antonio than any other part of the country,” Wagnon said. “It helps not only Incarnate Word, but the other schools in our conference. It will help all of our schools get more exposure in this market. Also with the population down here, there are a lot of alumni that live down here in San Antonio or in this part of the state. It’s going to give all of our schools a chance to reconnect with our alumni. So we’re just really excited about having them on board.”
After finishing 5-5 in its first season since adding football, UIW is looking for even more success, but second-year head coach Mike Santiago knows it won’t be easy.
“It’s a little unnerving right now to think that two years ago we didn’t have helmets or jerseys and now we’re getting ready to line up against the best conference in the nation,” Santiago said. “But we’re not there yet. We’re getting there. It’s a process and we’re not going to cheat the process.”
While many of the head coaches around the league echoed the sentiments of expecting to compete and win with every game, Santiago says – with a team full of mainly sophomores – he must take a different approach.
“Honestly, we don’t even talk about it,” Santiago said. “What we talk about is getting better every time we come out. If I start talking to these guys about winning and losing . . . I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know we’re going in with nothing but sophomores and guys with just one year of experience. So we know it’s going to be tough. But I’m as excited as I can be because I know we’re going in the right direction.”
Last year, UIW was an independent team but still played three games against LSC opponents, finishing 1-2, including a win over East Central and a heartbreaking loss to Eastern New Mexico in a game the Cardinals led in the final minutes.
But ask both Santiago, and UIW athletic director Mark Papich which game stands out the most, and they both pointed towards a 48-7 loss to Midwestern State, which ended up in a three-way tie for the LSC title and advanced to the NCAA playoffs.
“Against Midwestern, that opening drive, we were right there in position to score had we not lost the ball,” Papich said. “Now that might have woken them up a little. But that game showed our guys that we can hang in there for a while with one of our best teams.”
In fact, Santiago said he knew by the third quarter when MSU pulled away to a 28-7 lead, that his team had nothing left.
“I told one of our assistant coaches, ‘we’re done.’” Santiago said. “These were freshman. They’re young kids and they were spent. They gave all they had and it showed.”
But despite the lopsided final score, Santiago said he saw progress. It carried over into a different attitude the next week in practice and then eventually into the games.
After losing to MSU, the Cardinals lost a tough road game to Langston (Okla.) 17-14, but then went on a roll, winning four straight games, including a dramatic 38-35 overtime finish over Oklahoma Panhandle after trailing 35-7 late in the third quarter.
“Our kids never gave up last year,” Santiago said. “And that’s why I’m very excited about what we’re doing here this year. We’ve got a good group of kids and we’re still learning. We’ve got a ways to go but we’ll keep fighting.”
In his press conference Tuesday, Santiago even joked about his team’s youth, stating the football budget was approved to buy razors for his players, suggesting his young guys are finally “old enough to shave.”
Certainly, the Cardinals have a ways to go before they can fully compete with the top teams in the LSC.
“I hear a lot of these coaches here today talk about rebuilding. Well, we’re still building. And that’s an exciting thing for us. We know last year we played with young kids, but we competed. We got beat up a few times, but we got beat up mostly at the end of games. I’m excited about seeing us improve this year.”
Texas A&M-Commerce is the favorite in the North Division and West Texas A&M is the top choice in the South Division, according to the 2010 Lone Star Conference preseason polls announced Tuesday.
The league's preseason polls reflect the opinions of LSC head coaches and sports information directors, plus various media representatives from throughout the region.
The 2010 football season kicks off in late August, and the LSC has 14 teams set to compete. Each team will play a total of 10 countable conference games. Divisional champions will be determined by only those games against division opponents, while the overall league champion will be determined by the overall 10-game conference record, which will include six division games plus four crossover contests.
With Incarnate Word joining the league in the South Division, Eastern New Mexico will be realigned to the North Division in football for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
In 2009, Midwestern State, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton State shared the LSC football title. Texas A&M-Commerce claimed the North Division crown with a perfect 5-0 mark, while Tarleton, MSU, TAMUK and West Texas A&M were the South Division co-champions with identical 4-2 marks.
NORTH DIVISION
Texas A&M-Commerce is favored to repeat as Lone Star Conference North Division champions, according to the annual preseason poll, after winning its last five games of the 2009 season.
The Lions received first-place votes on 12 of the 19 ballots cast by LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
A&M-C, who posted a perfect 5-0 mark in the division last season, totaled 123 points in the poll to end up in front of Southeastern Oklahoma. SE finished second with 110 points and three first-place votes.
Central Oklahoma (95) was third with two first-place nods, Eastern New Mexico (76) was fourth including two first-place tallies, Northeastern State (63) fifth, Southwestern Oklahoma (40) sixth and East Central (25) rounded out the poll.
SOUTH DIVISION
West Texas A&M is the top choice to win the Lone Star Conference South Division in 2010, according to the annual preseason poll.
WTAMU, who posted a 7-5 overall and 4-2 divisional record in 2009, earned first-place votes on nine of the 19 ballots to finish with 105 total points in front of Abilene Christian’s 103-point tally with three first-place tallies in the poll of LSC head coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
The Buffaloes were South Division co-champions and represented the league in the inaugural Kanza Bowl in Topeka, Kan.
Midwestern State finished third with 91 points and three first-place votes, Tarleton State was fourth (87, two first-place), Texas A&M-Kingsville fifth (84, two first-place) Angelo State sixth (42) and Incarnate Word seventh (20).
In 2009, MSU, TAMUK and Tarleton shared the LSC football title and were also South Division co-champions with identical 4-2 marks along with WTAMU.
The LSC continued its regular participation in the postseason with four teams – MSU, TAMUK, Tarleton and ACU - selected to play in the NCAA Division II playoffs last season.
North Division 1st TOTAL
1 Texas A&M-Commerce (12) 123
2 Southeastern Oklahoma (3) 110
3 Central Oklahoma (2) 95
4 Eastern New Mexico (2) 76
5 Northeastern State 63
6 Southwestern Oklahoma 40
7 East Central 25
South Division 1st TOTAL
1 West Texas A&M (9) 105
2 Abilene Christian (3) 103
3 Midwestern State (3) 91
4 Tarleton State (2) 87
5 Texas A&M-Kingsville (2) 84
6 Angelo State 42
7 Incarnate Word 20
Four tabbed for LSC football preseason honors
Four Lone Star Conference football stars earned LSC Preseason Player of the Year acclaim for the 2010 season league officials announced Tuesday.
Midwestern State quarterback Zack Eskridge was named LSC South Division Offensive Player of the Year, while Abilene Christian defensive end Aston Whiteside picked up the division’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Southeastern Oklahoma running back Baylen Laury was chosen as Offensive Player of the Year in the North Division and Texas A&M-Commerce linebacker Cory Whitfield earned the North’s Defensive Player of the Year acclaim.
The league’s preseason awards were selected by a vote of LSC head coaches and sports information directors, plus various media representatives from throughout the region.
Eskridge, a 6-4, 215-pound senior from Rowlett, Texas, completed 71.3 percent of his passes for a school record 3,295 yards last season while helping the Mustangs to a LSC championship and to their third trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The 2009 Harlon Hill finalist connected for another school record 29 touchdowns and threw six interceptions to earn LSC South Offensive Back of the Year honors in 2009, while leading NCAA Division II with a 180.2 pass efficiency rating.
With 10 votes, Eskridge topped West Texas A&M’s Taylor Harris (four), Angelo State’s Josh Neiswander (two) and Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Fred Winborn (one).
Whiteside, a 6-2, 255-pound junior from Vernon, Texas, was a first team all-LSC South Division selection in 2009 and ranked among NCAA Division II leaders in both sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (14.5).
He picked up the honor with nine votes to finish in front of Tarleton State’s Lonnie Buchanan (two) and five others with one vote.
Laury, a 5-10, 185-pound senior from Forney, Texas, was a second-team all-LSC North Division pick in 2009. He rushed for 637 yards and four scores, while adding 41 catches for 355 yards and three TD’s last season.
With four votes, Laury edged out A&M-C’s Adam Farkes and Marcus Graham, who each received three votes, and Eastern New Mexico’s Jesse Poku (two).
Whitfield, a 6-2, 195-pound senior from Palestine, Texas, had a breakout season in 2009 earning LSC North Division Linebacker of the Year and first team all-LSC North Division recognition. He led the Lions with 111 tackles, including six-straight games of double digit tackles; plus he was third on the team with 13.5 tackles for minus yardage in 2009.
He earned the acclaim with seven votes to edge ENMU’s Nathan Uland (six), Northeastern State’s Nick Dobler (two) and three others with one vote.
WTAM picked for volleyball title From the LSC Office
West Texas A&M is the favorite to claim the Lone Star Conference championship, according to the 2010 LSC preseason volleyball poll announced Tuesday.
The league's preseason polls reflect the opinions of LSC head coaches and sports information directors, plus various media representatives from throughout the region.
The 2010 volleyball season begins in late August, with 15 teams set to compete in the league with the addition of Incarnate Word. LSC teams will use a one-conference, single round-robin scheduling model in 2010, in which each team will play one match against each of the other teams.
The LSC regular season title will be determined by conference matches with the champion and runner-up receiving trophies, while the postseason tournament will use an eight-team bracket, taking the top eight teams in the final conference standings. The tournament will be played Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-13, using the NCAA regional format and be hosted by the No. 1 seed.
The Lady Buffs captured their fourth straight and 15th overall league title, along with the South Central Regional title and finished as national runners-up in 2009. WTAMU was 39-4 overall and undefeated in conference play for the fourth straight year with a 13-0 mark.
WTAMU earned first-place votes on 27 of the 40 ballots for a total of 584 points. Abilene Christian collected the remaining 13 first place nods to finish second with 567 points.
Angelo State was third with 487 total points, Central Oklahoma fourth (424), Texas A&M-Commerce fifth (343), Incarnate Word sixth (342), Midwestern State seventh (336) and Texas Woman’s (321) eighth.
Southeastern Oklahoma (320), Texas A&M-Kingsville (295), Cameron (242), Tarleton State (221), East Central (145), Southwestern Oklahoma (99) and Eastern New Mexico (74) rounded out the poll.
LSC Volleyball 1st TOTAL
1.West Texas A&M 27 584
2.Abilene Christian 13 567
3.Angelo State 487
4.Central Oklahoma 424
5.Texas A&M-Commerce 343
6.Incarnate Word 342
7.Midwestern State 336
8.Texas Woman's 321
9.Southeastern Oklahoma 320
10.Texas A&M-Kingsville 295
11.Cameron 242
12.Tarleton State 221
13.East Central 145
14.Southwestern Oklahoma 99
15.Eastern New Mexico 74
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Three Lone Star Conference volleyball stars were honored Tuesday as league officials announced the 2010 Preseason Players of the Year.
Abilene Christian claimed two of the honors as Shawna Hines was named Defensive Player of the Year and Ijoema Moronu received Setter of the Year recognition. Central Oklahoma’s Zuela Adom picked up Defensive Player of the Year acclaim.
The league’s preseason awards were selected by a vote of LSC head coaches and sports information directors, plus various media representatives from throughout the region.
Adom, a senior outside hitter from Euless, Texas, was the top choice for offensive honors, earning 11 of 33 votes to top Angelo State’s Chelsea Gibson (five). A second-team Daktronics All-South Central Region and first-team All-LSC selection, she hit a solid .235 with 361 kills (2.98/set) last season while adding 76 blocks, 196 digs and 19 service aces.
Hines was the top choice for defensive acclaim, collecting 17 of the 33 votes to finish ahead of Midwestern State’s Kiara Jordan (six).
A senior from Aurora, Calif., Hines was voted third team NCAA Division II all-America by the nation's sports information directors and honorable mention all-America by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association. Hines led the nation in total blocks (190) and blocks per set (1.58) while pacing the Wildcats to a 29-6 record in 2009. She was also voted first-team all-LSC and the LSC's Defensive Player of the Year, and named to the LSC Championship all-tournament team.
Moronu was the nearly unanimous pick for Setter of the Year with 32 votes. Incarnate Word’s Sarah Nordman received the remaining vote.
The Fort Worth, Texas, native was a first-team all-LSC pick with over 1,000 assists for the second straight season in 2009 moving her into third place on the ACU All-Time list. She was named LSC Setter of the Week five times including the last week of the season, helping the Wildcats to a 14-game winning streak to end the season.
These talented players will lead their teams into the 2010 season which begins September 2. The LSC has 15 teams set to compete utilizing a one-conference, single round-robin scheduling model, in which each team will play one match against each of the other teams.
